KING BASS gone for the MULA

Whaddup Mad Music Family,  back with you like that bad cough you cant get rid of ;-). This week we have a Dancehall Banger. Bay-C from the super dancehall Group T.O.K continues to showcase his talent and that he is a master lyricist with vision and  depth to match. With a song produced by "OMG Blizzi you made that" King Blizzi  one of the young super talented Produce/Artist in Jamaica that continues to dominate the air waves. "Gone for the Mulla" is fresh and the chorus is hot and riddim combine well to make it maad  memorable.

The video features  cameos by Craigy T (T.O.K) , Christopher Martin  and gives a real good sample of Kingston night life and dancehall flavour at its finest. Big Up  Bay - C this is str8 fire.

 

Make sure you check out the rest of Bay- C's  new album King Bass and other hit tracks like Don Dada Trill with Kalash, Bad Bitch  and a new T.O.K track Why Pree....Maaaaad!! 

Reggae on a Bike, Must Sell Off

Whats Up Mad Music Fam. Music continues to be a binding force in unique and interesting ways. Today we share a new musically inspiring feature I recently found "Music on a Bike". So a DJ created a concept of turntables on a bike where he rides through communities playing music and building a party vibe. Not an easy task to cue and mix while riding and navigating, but he seems to have it under control, most of the videos are Drum and Bass music. So as many of you know the British based genre of Drum and Bass or DnB was inspired and influenced by the original Jamaican dub and reggae which is characterized in the bass heavy sound.

Enter Dom Whiting a full time mechanic and part time DJ who decided to with the relaxation of some covid protocols to have a party on a bike. He said " I want to bring people together and enjoy a bit of music because we have been away  from each other for a long time." Nothing like music to bring people together 

Its mad fascinating whether you are into the music or just the characters who are riding with him, of just the scenery of various towns throughout England.

If  Drum and Bass is not your "cup of  tea" just fast forward to time mark to 18:38  to hear Koffee's Toast drum n bass style to see the reggae influence. 

Enjoy... Maaad

 

And just to show how a good vibe and music can grow organically look at where he started with the first video, just him and his so so self.

  

Hidden Reggae Gems that you may have missed back in time

Blessings and respect to all of the massive out there. Music we seh  all di way. so some much reggae music is released in Jamaica every week that even the top DJs miss something. So today we take a big jump back in time, going through the catalogue of CDs and found these 2 gems. Songs that didn't get their due back in the day but if you give them a listen, they were at the time well ahead and should have shine, shine bright like a diamond (in Rhi Rhi voice and melody)

Anyways listen and  acquaint yourself with these songs that should have been big  hits. 

Firstly the British Knight Riddim, produced by Kareem Goodison of Orange Hill Records. This hip hop beat fused with dancehall had  reggae stars on the riddim including Aidonia, Anthony B and Jovi Rockwell. However the lead singe by Fantan Mojah is the stand out . when Fantan was the energetic rasta with the back back, long before the girls' skin out videos. Anyway check it out his characteristic chanting and his unique vocal styling that make the fusion sound work. mixed by 3 time Grammy Sound Engineer and recent JARIAH 2021 Honoree  Rorey Baker. the song is special.....Maaaad

 

Then we go back to our favourite Danish reggae singer Natasja, off her Album "Release" back in was another hip hope fusion with dancehall "Summercute" still has a vibe. Produced the multi talented Danish producer Pharfar, with Natasja sitting on the riddim like a lizard on a limb this one should have been  another world wide stunner ...Maad Music 

Reggae Emotions are Strong On this One

It is a joy and a pleasure when new artists finally buss who have been in the game  developing their musical craft and finally get to enjoy well deserved attention. 

With a beautifully shot video featuring Folly Great House in Portland we find the "hot new artists" Yaksta ( Bush Lawd) and Nation Boss on with the brand new message music for their collaboration "Emotions". The video storyline and visuals pays homage and is almost like a sequel to Nation Boss' Humans video. 

Great costuming, Superb cinematography, the colours the movement ohh and the song shaaat quality music and a quality video , we like to see how Jamaican production companies (in this case always creative RD studios) is stepping up the game and placing reggae on the world stage  even more where it madly deserves to be.

This is a Mad Emotional Moment in Music..........Mi fi tell unuhh  this one badd no lie.

Reggaeton roots is built on Shabba Ranks

Whats up Mad Music People . We all Love Reggaetón with superstars like Daddy Yankee and J Balvin  but  do you know the true history to reggaetón.

Well jump back in the music time machine to 1990 when Shabba Ranks created the song "Dem Bow" a classic dancehall anthem taken from Shabba's 1991 album Just Reality. To this day, elements of the song's accompaniment track are found in over 80% of all reggaetón productions

The song and riddim produced by Bobby Digital inspired an instrumental in Puerto Ricoin the mid 90s  called "Dem Bow' which its distinct drum pater became characteristic of the sound of reggaetón 

Steely & Clevie, creators of the Poco Man Jam riddim, are usually credited with the creation of dembow

 

 Here is the reggaetón derivative, I am sure you here the similarity....maaaad

 

Humans are taking over Reggae Music

Whaa Gwann Mad Music Family, good music can't be stopped and  every time you think you have hit the pinnacle, a mad moment in music hits you again. Sooo this week an unusual occurrence, 2, yes count them 2 hot songs with the same title enjoying good rotation in the reggae universe.

First up Nation Boss' "Humans " a classic love lost tale with an engaging video shot in the cool Blue Mountains featuring a demure and quietly confident artist Nation Boss. Already creating a buzz in Jamaica this one is sweet and potent in its simplicity and sound.

Then strangely enough when researching this song I backed into this other song by another new comer with tremendous talent Yaksta. He is now getting well deserved attention for his inspirational song "Ambition" but also has a song out called also titled "Humans" with a well produced video telling the evil virtues of humans.

So which Humans are you in favour of #TeamNation or #TeamYaksta. either way Reggae is the winnner,,,,Maaaaaad

What is even madder is both artist have a combination together , no its not Humans, Humans ;-) but  "Emotions" look out for that one these two talents will continue to impress a sure sign that reggae is alive and well in Jamaica. 

 Then there were more Humans

 

Did you Know Shabba Ranks did a cover of a Beatles' Song

Whats popping, my music family. We went back in time for this hardly known about gem. Everyone in reggae land knows the  original " Mr. Loverman" "The Emperor ", "A Mi Man" "Dutty Stintking Shabba Ranks" aka  Rexton Rawlston Fernando Gordon, arguably in the late 80 and early 90 the most popular Jamaican artist in the world.  Known for his hits "Mr. Loverman". "Housecall" with Maxi Priest, "Slow and Sexy" with Johnny Gill, "Respect", "Pirates Anthem", "Trailer Load A Girls", "Wicked inna Bed", "Caan Dun", and "Ting A Ling" and many more  hits.  He won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1992 for As Raw as Ever and in 1993 for X-tra Naked.^[

Little known fact do you  know he did a cover version of a classic Beatles song "She's a Woman." Well almost he did a DJ  feature on the cover but thats qualifies as part of the cover ....it was music magic  

The  song "She's a Woman" was recorded by Scritti Politti a British punk and pop band back in 1991 with featured guest vocals from Shabba Ranks, the song became a UK Top 20 single, song.  

But lawwwd have mercy when  a remix version by dance collective Apollo 440  was  released the song really took off  Here is Shabba Mr Loverman on di track....maaaad.

 

 If you want to here the original with more of Green Gartside's vocals pree this version, but we like Shabba vocals on the remix more

 

Its a Happy Day in My Polos and My Damn Clarks - Hottest Dancehall Artists to Watch

Wha gwaaan Mad People

We still digging in di crates, searching the dancehall and combing di internet for the hottest artist a road who have the mad talent to Buss Big.

So today we share with you some of my favourites that you should also keep an eye and ear out for. Firstly "Hot Frass" aka Romaine Lindsay originally from St. Thomas (home of stars like  Popcaan and Morgan's Heritage). Frass is now based in the district of Hampton Court and building a musical energy Hot Frass hot right now .

He is riding high with the street classic Polo which features deejay Takeova. Strangely enough initially the song sounded like one person a deejay but it looks like Hot Frass and Takeova have the same tone and delivery on this one.

The man a big up Polo I hope Ralph Lauren cut the man a big cheque  for the free promo

Anyways Hot Frass now based with Claims records (the label that help buss Gully Bop)  has  the melody and style for future tings watch out for him

(Video is raw dancehall so u know how it goes)



Then another artist who I think has the right approach, still somewhat underground but finding main stream buzz with the worthy song "Its a Holiday" meet Halonai, a producer, mixer and a true talent in every sense of the word. He taught himself to play the piano and is equipped with all the skills to be a future force...maaaad 

I like the delivery and bounce of this one, lyrics, riddim everything is wicked on di sone maaaaad

First check out this video clip in ths studio.......vibes tun up


Then here is the official video but to me something got lost in the mix, the tune bad no lie but something about the song in the first clip real and humbler more than the 2nd clip Check it out

Sean Paul Bilingual, Bet you didn't know!!

Whaddup Mad people

Its Funky Friday and back into the dancehall wi seh.

Sean Paul Jamaica's biggest dancehall artist expands his repertoire musically and linguistically. Sean spitting lyrics in Spanish, impressive. Not a song found on Jamaican airwaves but creating literally a fire overseas is "Contra La Pared" or en ingles"Against the Wall" an easy tempo mix of Reggaeton and Dancehall the influence of jamaican cuture is easy to see in the dancing and wah a gwan  (check out at the 2:00mn time  mark).  A first I have seen Sean Paul  bringing dancehall in a Spanish gwann mi General ....muy bueno or as we sey around here maaaad sumptin!

Shot on location in Utah's Lake Powell, nope not anywhere in South America, featuring dune buggies, dance crew and strangely enough cool winter gear although in the middle of the desert Lake Powell does get cold in the night.

Featuring J Balvin the Colombian Superstar who enjoyed massive global success in 2017 with "Mi Gente" they may have another hit on their hands already at 102 Million views and counting this chune a gwann good.

Baddest Hip Hop Dancehall Re-Mixes (Old School Version)

Dancehall and Hip Hop share the same musical heritage and over the years artist continue to do a fusion through re-mixes. We identified the hottest baddest Remixes, old school style,found mostly from the early days. No long talking just enjoy and tell us what other songs should have been on the list

Lets start it off with STR8 Fire from Junior Reid

 
Then digging back into the crates to 1995 Def JAM Big Chuneee over the classic Dougie Fresh beat and Marley Marl instrumentals.

Then dutty yeah Sean Paul and Busta Rhymes


Who can forgot this classic ..........Maaaad

Sexiest Man in Jamaica - A Song about Me

Whaddup Maadd Music Fans, finally a song dedicated to me ... Sexiest Man in Jamaica :-)

Actually found this gem listening to Idris Elba playing a DJ set recently. Interesting that he was recently named Sexiest Man Alive by People Magazine and BTW  did you know he is quite an accomplished DJ in his own right.Yeah he nver misses a beat to tell you how he grew up in the sound bwoy culture of the Hackney district of London and has a deep passion for reggae music. In fact thats why he was so inspired to direct the Jamaican sound boy drama "Yardie" a great watch if you even got the chance.

Anyway this song has no chart history in Jamaica strangely enough but has a rich musical story in the UK. The song is by "Mint Royale"  an electronic music duo, Neil Claxton and Chris Baker from Manchester, England.

On their Second Album "Dancehall Places" in 2002 came the first single "Sexiest Man in Jamaica" featuring a sample from the iconic Prince Buster. The song became a hit on the UK Top 20 Charts and is still a featured tune in eltronic music playlists.


 
So know you know who is the Sexiest Man in Jamaica and all the girls love me.... Rough  Rider ....Maaaaad

Its All about Dancing

Whaddup Mad Music Fans
Heard this mad hypnotic jam by Stylo G, kinda song to bounce your head to and move your feet
If you check the lyric video the translation is a bit off not done by a Jamaican but they seem to capture for the most part what  he is saying

Stylo G doesn't disappoint on this track and is showing again why he is one of the hottest Danceahll acts in the UK, the man baaad

You think this niiiice wait till you hear the remix with Niki Minaj, maaad str8 fire, shell ,shell shell



What we like about this song is that the beat baddd and it mooves people to dance, if there was ever any doubt on the influence of dancehall culture and in particular dance moves look no further than this video of some British youths a try dem ting,gwan wi seh gwann



Then if you wan see the difference wid a true yard man interpretation and choreography check this video , the crew is Hectic Dymond well known in the dancehall in Jamaica and whose leader Roll X is an in demand dancehall choreographer around the world.

 Maaaaaad  !!!!!

Reggae Sunsplash Indian Style

Reggae Music takes you to some interesting places, its worldwide in its message, music and mystic. We found out about this music mash up in Goa, India from a friend of the blog Goldy Rodriques.

Called "Goa Reggae Sunsplash", now in its third year it is the largest reggae festival in the Indian continent put together by Reggae Rajahs who we showcased in an ealier post.

This year features Anthony B and ZJ Liquid .

Goa, is a state in India within the coastal region known in Western India, Goa is visited by large numbers of international and domestic tourists each year for its white sand beaches and nightlife.

The festival held on the beach resort in Mandrem in 2018 and is focused on becoming a complete cultural experience and is home to India’s first hand crafted reggae sound system,10,000 Lions. Here is a flavour of what 2017 was like so brace for 2019 

Maaad Music  we seh !!!!!!

Boom Bye Bye now a Love song

Whats up Mad Peeps its TGIF its Time to Get Funky yeah in Jamaica its Heroes Weekend so lots of partying lots of booze and oh yes celebrating past and current heroes that made a contribution to this little but tallawah island.

But you now how our ting set, its about the Music and we have nuggets of niceness to share this week.With Buju Banton scheduled to be  released later this year there has been renewed interest in Buju's music.Who would have thought that his now infamous  lyric "Boom Bye Bye" "could be the hook of a love song. Check it out  

A Jamaican production by ZincFence the production team behind Reggae New School Sensation Chronixx they present a fresh new talent, Jane Macgizmo a on this very strong single with a nice balance of Tropical (so they call it) and Dancehall (check the breakdown at 2:41). We like it a LOT it SHOT. 

The video was shot on location at Villas Sur Mer in Negril, Jamaica 

Denieze Anderson was  born and raised in Mandeville, Jamaica, but is more popularly known as Jane Macgizmo she is a recording artiste, songwriter and producer she is definitely is one to maaad watch.

 MAAAAD MUSIC!!!

If you like her check out her next release One Away

Hot Freestyle and Dancehall D.R is Mad Hot

WHADDUP MAD MUSIC FANS WORLDWIDE!

As we travel the Caribbean we are always on the look out for mad talent and music, so on a recent trip to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic or the D. R by yours truly I captured this freestyle session in  Plaza de Espana.

As a mega fan of hip hop I loved every minute but you don't need to understand the language to appreciate the delivery and energy with these young rappers. here is a small snippet ,,,,maaaad


D.R is never short of talent their hottest artist right now Nicky Jam has the mega hit "X". You must have heard this jam, try and catch the dance. As you can hear it is a dancehall and reggae song, featuring a synth trumpet hook and elements of reggaeton, pop and Afrobeat.




Rumour has it that Will Smith, Nicky Jam and Diplo are part of the team for the FIFA World Cup Official song, yes you heard it here first SHELL SHELL SHELL.....MAAAD

Dancehall in the Super Bowl and Other Dancehall Flavours

Fresh off the boat comes 2 Dancehall influenced new music projects we thought you may like.

First there is a  new track from super producer Calvin Harris  featuring Party Next Door (of Caribbean parentage) sampling heavily from the dancehall genre.The video is kinda generic they need to get Desha Ravers to help them out but the track is not bad.




Then just in case you missed it Dancehall was featured in the super bowl commercial this year. yes it is this Diet Coke ad introducing new Twisted Mango flavour they somehow wanted a " tropical tune' to complement the visuals. The talent has NO sense of timing much less how to negotiate a dancehall riddim but we are liking the vibe. This interestingly awkward  commercial features the dancehall infused" Long Distance" by Sam Gellantry a 17 year old Scottish producer,

If you don't recognize it's SHABBA  on the track. Its a sample taken from "Telephone Love Deh Pon Mi Mind" featuring JC Lodge.
 

Here is the full song without the crazy dancing...LOL.....MAAAAD 

More Dancehall Flavour in your Ear (RIP Craig Mack)

Whats up Mad peeps its TGIF Time to Get Funky Friday again and we found some more beats and bounce for your dancehall ears.

Some of you might know Lil Yacthy a US rapper and singer who is best known for hit song "Broccoli"  with DRAM. He calls his  his style "Bubblegum Trap."

Rolling Stone described his music as "catchy, intentionally dinky-sounding tunes packed with off-color boasts delivered in a proudly amateurish singsong."
Him kinda on a different level musically, what we don't get is why him call himself Lil Yacthy he obviously is a big ass man.

Anyway we find he is channeling his dancehall roots to  carry his music to the next level. Check this new song  "Worry No More" it has a nice pop/ dancehall vibe to it featuring Santigold and produced by 1/3 of Major Lazer, Diplo who is already a well established fan and producer of dancehall crossover.....MAAAAD mi tell unuh


 
So if you had any doubt about the Jamaican influence pree this other video shot on location at Frenchman's Cove and Somerset Falls in the beautiful parish of Portland, Jamaica and featuring new Dancehall inspired flavour of the month Stefflon Don and a cameo by the Unruly Boss Popcaan.....MAD

ChroniXX- the Real Deal- The Man and the Music

Whats up my Music peeps. Well today in Kingston Jamaica  the heavyweight  buzz is around the  long awaited concert on Chronixx, part of his worldwide tour which has already had stops in USA, Japan and Europe. Its quite a show and promises to be a mad musical experience. No Major Lazer concert this year so uptown appetite is yearning for a musical  high.

If there is any artist that embodies the next generation of "Bob Marley" then Chronixx is the man. An artist gifted with a harmonious voice, insightful commentary, colourful beats and an enigmatic personality.

I found this particular interview with HOT 97 Ebro a good showcase to the man behind the music. A bit on the long side, he discusses his journey, what he listens to, frequency in music, his love of Ethiopia  Well worth a watch.



If you are an new fan this is part of his story, true and real.

We have to blow our own trumpet we spotted Chronixx from November 2012
 See  our older post
http://madmomentsinmusic.blogspot.com/2012/11/could-this-be-next-biggest-reggae-star.html

We see stars long before they become constellations.

My favourite song is "Legend" Chunee....maaaad

New Music, the Good, Bad and ... You decide?

New visuals this week the Mad Music continues to be dynamic. We found these 3 new music visuals keeping it Dancehall and Hype. Not sure any of these are going to be BIG hits but give us your feedback.

1st up Vybz Kartel advocate, supporter and friend Busta" Bus a Bus" Rhymes finally lands a colab  with Vybz and Torey Lanez. This one has a nice beat, but the  numerous stops and starts to the video breaks the flow. Although there are cameos from Beenie Man, Junior Reid, Foota Hype Sizzla and a bag of Jamaican artists the dialogue and over use of "patois" doesn't come across at all as natural.


Then there is this new one from Popcaan and Kyla. Fo rthose who dont know  Kyla, is a British house music singer in the UK funky subgenre. She is best known for her song "Do You Mind" which became one of the most successful charting UK funky songs and was later featured on Drake's 2016 international hit "One Dance".



Finally we have the two "Jamericans" who are holding on to their Jamaica roots to try and get a further foothold in the hip-pop market. Sean Kingston who from day one embraced his heritage in his stage name and then Safaree previously known as Niki Minaj's Hypeman but now carving a name for himself as a rapper and regular staple in the dancehall. 

Dancehall never ever sounded like this!!!

Who said Dancehall isn't versatile' dem lie,  I have been listening and am pleasantly surprised how the new Dancehall artists are showing their true talent and versatility in recent recordings way outside the traditional reggae and dancehall arenas.

I found these musical SHOTS recently not getting airplay in Jamaica, probably doesn't fit the traditional limited formats we have. But "trust" each one of these is a straight musical backflip as it puts a Dancehall artist without compromise in totally new genres of music and they don't loose a beat to keep it authentic while adding a kaleidoscope of sound to the these club bangers.

First up the leader of the Reggae Revival Chronixx, btw check out his Chronology Tour currently winding down in the US and Canada and coming to the Caribbean soon. Here he teams up with UK Heavyweights Sub Focus and Rudimental  for a fusion of  reggae, DnB and soul ... maaaad



Then there is Shenseea, the hottest female DJ in Dancehall right now, the "It" girl " who fresh off her Tim Westwood freestyle shows she can rap and DJ with the same intensity. Here she sounds quite polished as she jumps on a Drum n Bass riddim and truly soars. The song has a piano heavy melody and an infectious flute hook,....Maaaaad 




Then sound di alarm for the Unruly one , Popcaan on this Gospel House track with the music legend  Chaka Khan . Yall remember Chak...Chaka..Chakka Khan from the 80s (I Feel for You) a timeless classic. Well she still sounds good and in this unusual pairing that works they grace each other vocals on "Say a Prayer". This song captures a soul-rich gospel sound, an uplifting song with still an emotive feel.


Maaaaaad Music mi tell unoo